Hawks fall to Goldsboro

LA GRANGE — The Hawks’ defense took too long to accelerateafter visiting Goldsboro weathered an early lead that extended to a 40-8 win over North Lenoir Monday.

The Cougars took a 21-0 lead going into halftime, outrushing the Hawks 193-10 at that point.

North Lenoir (2-8 overall, 1-3 Eastern Carolina 2A) had trouble stopping a pair of Goldsboro’s explosive running backs, including the game’s leading rusher Rasheid Malette. The 5-foot-9 senior RB had 248 rushing yards on 23 carries, gaining 165 of them in the first half.

He scored the first two touchdowns for the Cougars — both a footrace to paydirt — as GHS found the end zone on six of their 10 possessions.

North Lenoir travels to Ayden Friday for the last regular-season game to face a Chargers team that ran in a TD on each of its 10 possessions last week in Kinston’s excruciating76-0 loss.

The Hawks understand they’re to face a re-charged Ayden-Grifton next week, so NL coach Calvin Sutton said he has to keep the offense on the field.

“You can’t have quick 3-and-outs,” he said. “We’re going to have to score, and if we’re not scoring, we need to be moving the chains.”

Monday, North Lenoir punted seven times compared to Goldsboro’s two. The Cougars didn’t have to rely much on passing, as Malette easily broke through open holes in the Hawks’ defensive line.

“Offensively and defensively, it starts with the front,” Sutton said. “And their offense and defense was clearly and obviously … much better than ours. I think we came out a little sluggish, and they hit us right in the mouth. I don’t think we responded the way we should have until after halftime.”

The Hawks’ line became a little sturdier after the NL got on the board in the third quarter.

On a drive that was nearly turned over by a Goldsboro interception, the Hawks faced a fourth-and-9 at the GHS 15-yard line with 3:58 on the clock. Having completed only one other pass for the night — and what turned out to be his last completion of the game — quarterback Landon Baker lobbed the ball up to an open Larry Boskey to score on a 54-yard drive.

While the Cougars scored on the very next possession, the NL defense at least stretched the number of snaps to eight. Goldsboro averaged four plays on the previous three scoring efforts.

Overall, the Hawks gave up too much space for the Cougars to attack. Goldsboro outgained the Hawks 419-133.

“They have really good running backs that can capitalize at any time,” NL senior fullback James Durant said. “I saw we lined up pretty good, but man-on-man, we just didn’t match up. Our guys gave 100 percent effort, but at the same time, we just hit it a little bit too slow.”

After entering the fourth quarter trailing 34-8, North Lenoir would give up one more TD before the game ended; Goldsboro running back Ricardo Woodard found his way up the middle from seven yards out.

Three different Cougars scored for Goldsboro, as QB Nashir Bowden went 2-of-5 for 33 yards and a pair of interceptions.

Hawks Mitch Bryant and Kristian Whitfield picked off a Goldsboro pass in the first half, respectively, but NL did not find a scoring opportunity with either.

Boskey’s lone catch was the TD pass, while Durant also had a single reception for 16 yards. Baker finished 2-of-10 and had an interception. Donyae Hopkins led the Hawks with 83 rushing yards on 22 carries.

Greene Central plays host to Goldsboro, as North Lenoir travels to Ayden-GriftonFriday for the last regular season game.

“Once our guys learn the schemes and learn the plays, it’ll be better for them,” Durant said, “but with it being the last game, all you can really do it play for North Lenoir and give it everything you have.”